FRIDAY-SATURDAY-SUNDAY

February 6-8, 1998     vol 9, no. 27

     This weekend the Winter Olympics from Nagano, Japan open to great hoopla and hype as the world will be watching this international venue played on the scenario with the picture-postcard snow-covered Mt. Fuji towering above the village. This June 12 and 13 the California Franciscan Mission known as the "King of the Missions" - San Luis Rey Mission in Oceanside, California will celebrate its 200th birthday beneath the majestic Palomar Mountain looming in the distance. What makes this also an international event, as well as being a historic occasion, is the announcement that, for the first time ever, the Vatican Choir will sing in the United States as part of the ensemble for opening ceremonies to mark the bicentennial. For a special article by Cecil Scaglione, click on BICENTENNIAL OF SAN LUIS REY

      The Vatican Choir which will be performing for the first time ever in the U.S. is nearly five-hundred years old, founded by an illustrious Pope who wanted to perpetuate the arts within the hallowed halls of St. Peter's Basilica which Pope Julian was responsible for completing. For the story of the Julian Choir and the significance of the San Luis Rey bicentennial celebration in June, we refer you to today's commentary, entitled "The Mission San Luis Rey bicentennial will be truly historical!" Click on Today's CATHOLIC PewPOINT

     We revisit the miraculous healing of Mother Angelica one last time with a special perspective from Sister Mary Lucy Astuto who gives us a unique insight as to why God chose to heal Mother and why now. It is a down-to-earth commentary that takes Mother off the "pedastal" so many unfairly place her on and, through Sr. Lucy's viewpoint, gives us her take on why Mother's "humanness" is the ideal example for Jesus to illustrate to all His Love, Mercy and Hope in her column today, entitled "The Miracle was for us, too!" Click on GETTING TO THE HEART OF THE MATTER

      This week we begin a series on the Celebration at the Lord's Table by bringing you the pertinent documents of the Second Vatican Council Fathers regarding the Sacred Liturgy. Today we feature the aspects of unity and preventing distractions. Contrary to what many modernists claim unity means everyone does it "their way" such as standing during the Consecration and Holy Communion, no where in these documents does it mention or affirm this, thus putting an end once and for all this liberal bunk being bandied about in parishes. Click on VATICAN II VERIFICATIONS

     Though the Church recognizes Masses in Ordinary Time on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, she also celebrates the martyrs Saint Paul Miki and his companions on the FIRST FRIDAY of February and on the FIRST SATURDAY we celebrate for the first time in 1998 the Blessed Virgin Mary on Saturday. For this feast, the readings and meditations, and others this weekend, Click on LITURGY OF THE DAY to read more.

      From the height of the cross, Christ entrusted His Mother to the beloved disciple to care for her in His stead. John is a symbol of the human race, and thus Mary becomes the Mother of all so that Divine grace would be bestowed more abundantly on us who have believed and experienced the inexhaustible riches of her heart.

      Dear children! Today again I call all of you to prayer. Only with prayer, dear children, will your heart change, become better, and be more sensitive to the Word of God. Little children, do not permit satan to pull you apart and to do with you what he wants. I call you to be responsible and determined and to consecrate each day to God in prayer. May Holy Mass, little children, not be a habit for you, but life. By living Holy Mass each day, you will feel the need for holiness and you will grow in holiness. I am close to you and intercede before God for each of you, so that He may give you strength to change your heart. Thank you for having responded to my call! For more on Medjugorje, click on MEDJUGORJE

HEADLINES:

Our Lady of Fatima is weeping tears of blood over her beloved Portugal's decision to embrace the culture of death!

      The vote by the Portugal parliament on Wednesday was indeed a dark day in Portugal history. Eighty-plus years after the Mother of God gave her blessings to Portugal by appearing at Fatima, her warnings have not been heeded and the culture of death has struck this strong Catholic country with the announcement that the Portuguese government will begin allowing abortions in public hospitals, opening up Pandora's Box for more hideous murders of the unborn on a widescale basis. Click on Portugal horrors to read more.

Bishops bugged by Bug spots that satirize Last Supper in TV ads

      The French Conference of Bishops may be divided when it comes to following Rome and being obedient, but they're united when it comes to making money through suing at the expense of a commercial that is actually less offensive than some of the things being preached by them and their priests in France. Yet they jumped on an ad agency over an ad that promoted selling the Volkswagen automobile with the theme of the Last Supper. It is a humorous spot that is far less obtrusive than many, many other commercials being aired in Europe or the U.S. Nevertheless, the bishops want their money and so they are suing for 3.3 million francs. Click on Bishops bugged to read more.

Vatican answers European dissenters with clarification of instructions on the Laity

      The growing dissidence among the bishops, priests and laity of Austria, Germany and Switzerland have prompted the Holy See to issue even clearer clarifications that assert, in no uncertain terms, what can and cannot be accepted. These clarifications are being printed in the Vatican weekly paper L'Osservatore Romano. Click on Fish or cut bait to read more.

For all other standard features, articles and columns, click on Archives

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February 6-8, 1998 volume 9, no. 27          DAILY CATHOLIC